Petroleum prices fell a more modest 1.6 percent in November compared to the double-digit declines recorded in the prior two months. Despite the recent downturn, petroleum prices advanced 1.5 percent for the year ended in November.

Nonpetroleum prices resumed an upward trend in November, following a 0.5-percent decline in October, rising 0.7 percent for the month and 1.3 percent over the past year. The index for overall imports increased 1.2 percent over the past 12 months.

A 2.9-percent increase in the price index for nonpetroleum industrial supplies and materials was the largest contributor to the higher nonpetroleum prices in November. That increase was largely attributable to a sharp upturn in natural gas prices.

Prices for exports increased 0.4 percent in November after falling 0.3 percent in October and 0.4 percent in September. The November increase resumed a year-long upward trend for the index, which advanced 3.9 percent over the past 12 months.

These data are from the BLS International Price program. Import and export price data are subject to revision. Learn more in "U.S. Import and Export Price Indexes - November 2006" (PDF) (TXT), news release USDL 06-2070.

Self-employment in the United States
Trends in self-employment by various demographic and socioeconomic characteristics, including both the unincorporated and the incorporated self-employed, as well as data on paid employees who work for the self-employed.